Student placement program

Community Correctional Services (CCS) runs a placement program for tertiary students to gain hands-on experience in case management as part of their coursework.

This unpaid observational placement is designed to fulfil the requirements of a student's compulsory coursework. It is a great opportunity for all students interested in a criminal justice career. The program is also an established pathway to securing a professional role with CCS. 

What you’ll learn

Throughout the program, you will assist case managers with a diverse range of individuals. Many of these people have endured significant trauma. While this experience may be difficult, you will develop personal resilience and make a positive impact on people’s lives.

During your placement, you will:

• follow an offender’s journey from court assessments through to order completion
• observe case management practices in interviews, inductions and risk assessments
• work through a learning guide that outlines expectations and learning activities
• improve your case management skills by completing file notes, writing reports and following up with service providers
• be supported by a student placement supervisor and staff buddy who provide guidance and observational opportunities
• gain insight into other CCS streams such as parole and post sentence, court assessment and prosecutions services, and community work and partnerships.

Desired skills and strengths

• High-level interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal). 
• Strong organisation and time management skills. 
• Resilience, good work ethic and the ability to take initiative.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the student placement program, you need to:

• be studying a recognised qualification (see eligible courses for a full list)
• commit to a placement of 200 hours or more (total contact time)
• commit to completing your placement consistently over 3 to 5 days per week (Monday to Friday)
• get endorsement from a work integrated learning coordinator or educator at your university or TAFE.

How to apply

1. Invitation and endorsement

Check with your work integrated learning coordinator or educator to discuss suitability and find out when applications open. They will provide you with an endorsement form and a link to apply.

2. Application and shortlisting

You must apply online through the link the work integrated learning coordinator provides. You will need to:

• upload your resume, endorsement form and academic transcript
• answer key questions
• nominate your location preferences.

3. Interview

Interviews will be conducted at your preferred location where possible. We are looking for students who demonstrate their:

• understanding of CCS
• skills and experience
• motivation for applying for a CCS student placement.

4. Security and online assessments

If you are successful, you will need to pass security checks and a psychometric assessment.

Eligible courses

You must be studying a course on our recognised qualification list to apply for the CCS student placement program. You must also have a practicum placement requirement as part of your course.  

The practicum placement requirement can be part of a core subject, or an elective subject undertaken for course credit. If you do not have a practicum placement requirement and would like to complete a student placement alongside your studies, your tertiary institution will need to formally endorse the placement.  

The institutions and courses that CCS can currently place students from are listed below. If your course is not on the list, your WIL coordinator or educator can contact the workforce planning and development team (External link) for information on how to have your course added.  

Recognised courses

* Social work students seeking to complete Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)-approved field education can only be considered for the CCS student placement program if their tertiary institution can arrange for an external field educator to meet the AASW’s requirements. Social work students should confirm that their tertiary institution can provide this before applying.  

If you have any further questions, please contact the workforce planning and development team (External link).